ILOILO City – An Iloilo-based structural engineer believes there is a need to review and upgrade the system in the procurement of consultant services for Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects.
Engr. Nilo Jardeleza said the goal is to avoid a repeat of what happened to the Ungka flyover in Barangay Ungka II, Pavia, Iloilo where there was an apparent failure in soil testing by a firm tapped by DPWH.
He also expressed support to calls for an investigation on the controversial P680-million Ungka flyover.
“May ara kita sang sistema nga dapat liwaton. That is why kinahanglan gid ang investigation sa Congress in aid of legislation nga i-upgrade naton ang aton review kag ang personnel sang naga-review,” said Jardeleza.
The Sangguniang Bayan of Pavia passed a resolution calling for a Senate investigation on the flyover.
The United Technology Consolidated Partnership (UTCP) conducted the soil test before the flyover’s construction. It was also the geotechnical consultancy firm tasked to formulate the plan and design of the Ungka flyover.
The review of it was done by the DPWH Bureau of Design.
“Bisan pa nga gin-review sang central office kag ginpirmahan sang officials sang DPWH, ang nag-prepare sang design is still liable sa natabo sa project kung failure, kag provided nga ang iya revisions kung gin-revise gid man indi tama ka substantial. However, kung nagsulat man siya nga mapangayo sya dugang sa investigation for adjustments, nga mapadugang kutkot and gin-disapprove, ti, libre sya. Pero kung wala nag-conduct sang iya due diligence ang company nga nag-conduct sang design, sila may responsibilidad sa gihapon bisan gin-review pa,” Jardeleza explained.
For Jardeleza, the DPWH and the geotechnical consultancy firm are accountable for the defective flyover.
He explained that it was not part of the scope of work of the local contractor to conduct soil testing as it was already accomplished by the UTCP, thus the local contractor has no liability for the implementation of faulty plan and design of the Ungka flyover.
Meanwhile, as to his proposal to review the procurement system for professional consultants, Jardeleza said there is a need to add a review committee that will be composed of private sectors to include Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines and government agencies like Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration; and Mines and Geosciences Bureau, among others.
“Pa-intrahon ang mga importante nga agencies. Then ang reviewer, indi lang dapat duwa para indi malutsan kay this time nalutsan kita. Indi na gid naton gusto matabo ina kay kadako nga perwisyo,” he added.
On the other hand, Jardeleza is against the demolition of the super structure of the flyover. He said there is a way using new technology or equipment to rehabilitate it faster and for a lesser cost.
He said he has a proposed plan which he will present to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Iloilo and Regional Development Council’s Infrastructure Development Committee where he is a member as representative of the private sector.
“Maayo ni, indi na kita mag-guba sang super structure kag dasig ni,” said Jardeleza.
The Ungka flyover was opened to traffic on the second week of September 2022. But after just two weeks, DPWH closed it due to vertical displacement.
Third-party consulting firm Abinales Associates Engineers + Consultants recommended that DPWH repair the vertical displacement at piers 4, 5 and 6 of the flyover that will entail at least P250 million more to fix./PN
